Pampered Consort of the Fragrant Orchard Chapter 69.4

Mid Autumn Talent Performance (4)

"Assemble into one performance?"

"That's right!" Du Xiao Li returned to her seat and had the sword put back in its sheath. "We can arrange a performance and have all your talents put together. This way, you can both display your uniqueness, and also be able to set off each other."

"This is a good idea!" Ji Liu Xia exclaimed, "We'll just join together, how about it?"

"We can try." Han Ming Xiang nodded. Hearing Du Xiao Li's suggestion, she also was somewhat excited.

Before when everyone performed, everyone just performed their respective act. No one has ever thought of wanting to have several performances put together. If they were to do this, they'll definitely acquire a different effect.

"Xiao Li, you don't need to prepare a performance anyways, and this suggestion was also made by you, so why don't you be in charge of our arrangements?" Han Ming Xiang said.

(T/N: MC is good at getting to work for her---MC next step in her OPness is idol group manager??)

Hearing this, everyone else also agreed. They all felt if Du Xiao Li were to do the arrangements for them, they'll definitely have an earth-shattering performance.

"Eh, alright. However, we only have these few days, so time-wise, it's rather tight. In this time, let's all find a place to practice together, how about it?" Du Xiao Li said.

"Alright."

"How about just going to your wolf park? That place is wide and spacious, yet won't leak our matter." Fu Ya Lan suggested.

Du Xiao Li pondered for a moment and shook her head denying.

"You think it won't do?" Meng Jiang Zhuo asked.

"The wolf park is too close to the Prime Minister Du's manor. If you all were to practice music there, the sound will be heard. Furthermore, that place had just been built. As soon as the sun comes out, it'll be very hot." Du Xiao Li explained why it wouldn't work.

"Ah? Then where will we go?" Ji Liu Xia asked.

"I know a place." Du Xiao Li said. "However, it's outside the city, and going back and forth every day is very troublesome. If you all can persuade your families to allow you to live outside for a few days, then that'll be more convenient."

"Have to live outside?" Fu Ya Lan was somewhat troubled, not knowing whether or not her family will agree.

"Ya Lan is worried that Elder Fu won't agree?" Han Ming Xiang asked.

Fu Ya Lan nodded. Because they were the family of a cabinet minister, so towards house rules and whatnot, she treated particularly seriously. Not returning home for a few days like this, don't know if it'll be doable.

"How about this, I'll just send an invitation, saying I'm going to the estate outside the city to practice and want to invite you to accompany me. This way, Elder Fu won't object right?" Han Ming Xiang thought of an idea.

"Hahaha, good, this is a good idea! With princess coming forward, we can go as long as we want!" Ji Liu Xia was also worried just now. But now with Han Ming Xiang's words, she instantly felt everyone was all great! And with Xiao Li helping her too, this time, she definitely won't lose face again!

"Then it's settled! Tomorrow at mao-hour(5-7am), we'll gather at the city gates." Du Xiao Li decided with a clap of her hands.

"Why tomorrow? Can't we start today?" Ji Liu Xia asked. She wanted to learn that sword dance right away.

"Today won't do. Tonight, I still have something to do. Moreover, that sword dance of yours needs special props. Today, I have to go draw up the design and go find a blacksmith to make it for you. And don't even know if it can be made; if it can't, we'll just have to make do with ordinary swords." Du Xiao Li said.

"There's also props?" Ji Liu Xia said in surprise.

"Of course there's props! Using props to dance, the effects will be even better." Du Xiao Li said.

"Then just draw the designs up here." Ji Liu Xia thought about how Du Xiao Li rarely ever comes to the General's Manor and wanted to leave her to play.

"En, sure, just need brush, ink, and paper." Du Xiao Li said, "After I finish drawing, everyone can also find time to discuss how roles are going to be divided."

"Divide roles?"

"Like see what you all are good at, and what you want to perform." Du Xiao Li said. "Afterwards, also see how to combine together so that it won't feel jarring."

"Is that so! But won't you take a long time to draw?"

"No need, it'll be done very soon. Drawing this kind of blueprint is very simple, just worried that the blacksmith won't be able to forge it. I'll draw it out first, then see." Du Xiao Li said.

Ji Liu Xia lead everyone to her own study. Although it's said to be her study, the times she's gone in can be counted on one hand. If not for people cleaning every day, this place certainly would've long piled with dust.

Du Xiao Li very quickly had the designs drawn out, but didn't have someone go find a blacksmith to forge it, instead started discussing roles with everyone. This design appeared simple, but needed to be explained clearly to the blacksmith, else there'll be problems with the final product.

"I know fifth brother has a blacksmith that is very skilled. How about we go find him later?" Han Ming Xiang said.

"Okay, right now, let's confirm the acts you all want to perform." Du Xiao Li said with a nod.

After discussing, they finally confirmed the acts everyone wanted to perform.

Ji Liu Xia will only perform the sword dance; this didn't need to be debated. Meng Jiang Zhuo was also the most skilled at dance, but in a style that was completely different from sword dance. Han Ming Xiang was most skilled at playing the xiao flute, thus she will be in charge of playing the xiao. And Fu Ya Lan, who was rather skilled in many things, in the end, settled on pipa and zither.

(T/N: For some reason the last part I thought she was going to play them at the same time. My ancient history professor once called the pipa, ancient china's guitar.)

While discussing, everyone were all rather excited, and very much looked forward to the performance this time. Especially since Du Xiao Li said, needed to dance out a story, thus everyone all were itching inside, wanting to imperial go try.

After having these roles allocated, everyone left the General's Manor together. Because Ji Lun and Ji Liu Feng had both gone to the barracks, they didn't get to see them.

Meng Jiang Zhuo and Fu Ya Lan both returned home, returning to prepare their own things, and afterwards just needed to wait for Han Ming Xiang's invitation card. Du Xiao Li thus went with Han Ming Xiang to go find that blacksmith she mentioned.

The horse carriage traveled through the city for a while, and then arrived at a somewhat desolate street. Han Ming Xiang pointed to the innermost of the alley and said, "It's that blacksmith shop."

Du Xiao Li glanced over. This alleyway, the horse carriage completely couldn't enter. That blacksmith shop also wasn't very conspicuous, only having a simple banner hung at the entrance with the word 'iron' written on there.

"I only know about this place because fifth brother brought me here once last time. Heard the things forged here are particularly good. Let's go in." Han Ming Xiang finished saying and walked on ahead.

Du Xiao Li followed Han Ming Xiang to the front of the shop, and upon seeing the person currently in the blacksmith shop forging, she cried out in surprise. "It's you!"

"You are?" The person lifted his head and skeptically looked to Du Xiao Li.

T/N: I feel like I'm pretty good at keeping up with my schedule at the beginning of the month but towards the end everything just falls apart. This is actually last Wednesday's chapter, I keep track of all the regular chapters and sponsored, don't worry, I'm just behind----again ;;;v;;;)